Orientalist Spirits, the world’s first premium all-Asian craft spirits company, is launching in the UK this November. To mark the occasion, it is presenting “An Evening with Chef Mathew Leong,” an unmissable and exclusive culinary experience. The event will be hosted over two nights at the luxurious COMO Metropolitan London in Mayfair on Thursday, November 28th, and Friday, November 29th, 2024.

Those attending will experience a remarkable fusion of flavours as Chef Mathew Leong presents a bespoke menu of Nordic seafood with Asian influences, paired with a curated selection of The Orientalist Spirits’ finest craft spirits and beverages.

Mathew Leong is the Executive Chef at RE-NAA, the first restaurant in Stavanger (and second in Norway) to be awarded Three Michelin stars. Born and raised in Singapore, Mathew moved to Norway at 21 to pursue his culinary career. His culinary journey began at 13 when he won his first gold in a culinary competition.

Mathew’s background includes prestigious roles at notable establishments such as Ritz Carlton, Marina Mandarin, and Tippling Club before his move to Norway, where he excelled at RE-NAA and eventually became the Head Chef at the one-Michelin-starred A’Laise in Oslo.

“An Evening with Chef Mathew Leong” is a unique, multi-course dining experience designed to showcase the elegance of The Orientalist Spirits‘ portfolio, including Origins Vodka, Gunpowder Gin, Dragon Whisky, and Imperial Rum.

Chef Leong’s exquisite dishes will be thoughtfully paired with bespoke beverages crafted by Kaoru Takii from Mixology Salon Japan and Francis Madrigal, head mixologist at COMO. Guests can expect an exploration of fresh ingredients, complex pairings, and a journey of rich Asian and Nordic culinary traditions.

The menu begins with Hamachi Crudo – a delicate, refreshing dish of buttery yellowtail complemented by the zest of fermented yuzu, the heat of wasabi, and the herbaceous notes of verbena oil. This opening dish sets the stage for the interplay of fresh, bold flavours to come, paired with “Dill”, a refreshing blend of dill-infused Orientalist Gunpowder Gin, ukiyo sake, elderflower liqueur, sansho redistilled Orientalist Gunpowder Gin, dill soda, and dill water.

Next, guests will savour King Crab Chawanmushi, a silky Japanese-inspired egg custard elevated with an Asiatic shellfish espuma that adds a rich, umami depth. The sweetness of the king crab melds with the delicate brininess of shellfish oil and the pop of ikura (salmon roe), creating a balance of textures and flavours.

This course is accompanied by “Iribancha”, a sophisticated infusion of Iribancha with Orientalist Origins Vodka, tom yam redistilled Orientalist Origins Vodka, fresh tomato, konbu genmai syrup, and citrus.

The third course, BBQ Hand-Dived Scallop, features a smoky, tender bite of fresh scallop, grilled to perfection and enhanced by a Nordic twist on XO sauce—a powerful umami-packed blend of seafood and spices. The addition of spruce oil infuses the dish with subtle pine and forest notes, giving the dish a fragrant, earthy complexity.

This course finds harmony with “Pear”, a cocktail that blends apple water, elderflower liqueur, pear-infused Orientalist Origins Vodka, poire liqueur, citric solution, and vintage calvados.

Monkfish on the Bone, a succulent fish that balances tenderness and robust flavours, will be served for the main course. Seabuckthorn kosher brightens the dish, adding tart and citrusy notes, while the morel mushrooms provide an earthy, nutty contrast.

This complex dish is complemented by “Hojicha”, a refined cocktail of hojicha, apricot liqueur blend, white port wine, aged cognac, and Orientalist Dragon Whisky.

To conclude the evening, guests will delight in a playful and refreshing dessert of Pumpkin Ice Cream, spiced with the aromatic heat of Timut pepper. This creamy, sweet treat is brightened by the floral and fragrant notes of elderflower, while the bright accents of citrus bring a clean and zesty finish to the palate.

Paired with dessert is “Flower”, a final cocktail featuring flower-infused Orientalist Imperial Rum, espresso, cacao syrup, and vanilla syrup—a fitting end to an extraordinary culinary journey.

“An Evening with Chef Mathew Leong” is a unique opportunity to be among the first to experience The Orientalist Spirits in the UK.

Guests will embark on an unforgettable journey that marries the elegance of premium spirits with a gourmet dining experience. Tickets for the experience are £275 and can be purchased via COMOclub or COMO Metropolitan London.